Chapter 21 Grooming Copyright 2012 by Mosby an

Grooming measures: Are important to many people Ø Prevent infection and promote comfort Ø Address love, belonging, and self-esteem needs Ø People differ in their grooming measures. The person should tend to his or her own grooming measures to the extent possible. The person may use adaptive devices for grooming. Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 2

Hair Care The look and feel of hair affect mental wellbeing. You assist with hair care whenever needed. The nursing process reflects: Ø Ø Ø The person’s culture Personal choice Skin and scalp condition Health history Self-care ability Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 3

Hair Care (cont’d) Skin and scalp conditions Ø Alopecia means hair loss. • Male pattern baldness occurs with aging. • Hair also thins in some women with aging. • Other causes include cancer treatments, skin disease, stress, poor nutrition, pregnancy, some drugs, and hormone changes. Ø Hirsutism is excessive body hair. • It can occur in men, women, and children from heredity and abnormal amounts of male hormones. Ø Dandruff is the excessive amount of dry, white flakes from the scalp. Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 4

Hair Care (cont’d) Ø Pediculosis (lice) is the infestation with wingless insects. • Pediculosis capitis is the infestation of the scalp with lice. • Pediculosis pubis is the infestation of the pubic hair with lice. • Pediculosis corporis is the infestation of the body with lice. • Report signs and symptoms of lice to the nurse at once. Complaints of a tickling feeling or something moving in the hair Itching Irritability Sores on the head or body caused by scratching Rash Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 5

Hair Care (cont’d) Ø Scabies is a skin disorder caused by a female mite. • The female mite burrows into the skin and lays eggs. • The person has a rash and intense itching. • Scabies is highly contagious. • Persons at risk include those living in crowded living settings and those with weakened immune systems. Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 6

Hair Care (cont’d) Brushing and combing hair Ø Ø Ø Encourage patients and residents to do their own hair care. • Assist as needed. Provide hair care for those who cannot do so. The person chooses how to brush, comb, and style hair. Brushing and combing prevent tangled and matted hair. To brush and comb hair, start at the scalp. Then brush or comb to the hair ends. Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 7

Hair Care (cont’d) Ø Ø Do not braid hair without the person’s consent. Never cut matted or tangled hair. Special measures are needed for curly, coarse, and dry hair. The person’s hair care practices and products are part of the care plan. Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 8

Shampooing Many factors affect frequency, including: The condition of the hair and scalp Ø Hairstyle Ø Personal choice Ø Shampoo hair when the nurse tells you to. The nurse tells you what method to use. The shampoo method depends on: The person’s condition Ø Safety factors Ø Personal choice Ø Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 9

Shampooing (cont’d) Ø Ø Ø Shampoo methods include: • During the shower or tub bath • At the sink • On a stretcher • In bed Hair is dried and styled as quickly as possible after the shampoo. Check with the nurse before curling or rolling up hair. Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 10

Shaving Many men shave for comfort and mental well -being. Many women: Shave their legs and underarms Ø Shave facial hair Ø Use other hair-removal methods • Waxing, hair removal products, plucking, threading Ø Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 11

Shaving (cont’d) Safety razors or electric shavers are used. Ø Follow agency policy for cleaning electric shavers. Safety razors are not used on persons who: Have healing problems Ø Take anticoagulant drugs Ø Soften the beard before shaving. Mustaches and beards need daily care. Ask the person how to groom his mustache or beard. Ø Never trim a mustache or beard without the person’s Ø consent. Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 12

Nail and Foot Care Nail and foot care prevents infection, injury, and odors. Hangnails, ingrown nails, and nails torn away from the skin cause skin breaks. Long or broken nails can scratch skin or snag clothing. Dirty feet, socks, or stockings harbor microbes and cause odors. Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 13

Nail and Foot Care (cont’d) Injuries occur from: Ø Ø Stubbing toes Stepping on sharp objects Being stepped on Shoes that fit poorly Poor circulation prolongs healing. Ø Infections or foot injuries are very serious for older persons and persons with circulatory disorders. Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 14

Nail and Foot Care (cont’d) Trimming and clipping toenails can easily cause injuries. Use nail clippers to cut fingernails. • Never use scissors. Ø Some agencies do not let nursing assistants cut or trim toenails. • Follow agency policy. Ø Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 15

Changing Clothing and Hospital Gowns You may need to assist with changing garments. Ø Follow these rules: • Provide for privacy. • Encourage the person to do as much as possible. • Let the person choose what to wear. • Make sure garments and footwear are the correct size. • Remove clothing from the strong or “good” side first. • Put clothing on the weak side first. • Support the arm or leg when removing or putting on a garment. Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 16

Changing Clothing and Hospital Gowns (cont’d) Changing hospital gowns Ø Gowns are usually worn for IV therapy. • Some agencies have special gowns for IV therapy that open along the sleeve and close with ties, snaps, or Velcro. Sometimes standard gowns are used. • Ø If there is injury or paralysis: • Remove the gown from the strong arm first. • Support the weak arm while removing the gown. • Put the clean gown on the weak arm first and then on the strong arm. Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 17